Lyrica and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sun...
• October 20, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Lyrica 4 days ago to help with my fibromyalgia. I am to take 1 pill at bedtime for 5 days, then increase my dose to 1 in the morning as well. I've been taking it at night and experienced involuntary tremors, muscle spasms, twitching of my fingers, arms, and legs. The twitching is scary! It's involuntary, I have no control of my body when this happens. My leg started twitching, and it stuck straight up, waking me from a deep sleep! The twitching and tremors linger all day. Lyrica caused severe swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs. It's very uncomfortable. I also experienced loss of balance, dizziness, blurred vision, and ulcer sores on my tongue and in my mouth. I felt far better before taking this medicine. Needless to say, I'm no longer taking it."

• Sun...
• October 20, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Lyrica 4 days ago to help with my fibromyalgia. I am to take 1 pill at bedtime for 5 days, then increase my dose to 1 in the morning as well. I've been taking it at night and experienced involuntary tremors, muscle spasms, twitching of my fingers, arms, and legs. The twitching is scary! It's involuntary, I have no control of my body when this happens. My leg started twitching, and it stuck straight up, waking me from a deep sleep! The twitching and tremors linger all day. Lyrica caused severe swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs. It's very uncomfortable. I also experienced loss of balance, dizziness, blurred vision, and ulcer sores on my tongue and in my mouth. I felt far better before taking this medicine. Needless to say, I'm no longer taking it."

• lit...
• August 19, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Lyrica for a month now. 150 mg 2x a day. It works wonders for the awful muscle spasms and fibromyalgia pain, but I do have side effects. I have to do everything from chores to running errands before I take it. Once I take it, I become unbalanced, forget words, and become extremely tired. I sleep a lot and very heavily and usually can't remember the previous day. I definitely cannot function after I take it. I don't care for the side effects, but so far it has been the only thing that has worked for me. I tried Cymbalta, Neurontin, Zanaflex, Flexeril, lots of things. To me, it's worth taking the Lyrica as those terrible rib and back spasms keep at bay, and after two years of dealing with those, I don't ever want to again. By the way, it does kill my appetite."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I have had neuropathy for some time and tried a host of other medications before trying Lyrica. I was on it for slightly over 3 months, with my dosage starting at 75 mg twice a day to 300 twice a day. Initially, the pain was approximately 7-8, and the Lyrica got it to about a 5 routinely, with some days worse. However, I suffered from some of the side effects stated by its manufacturer, including dizziness, being off-balance at times, problems with sleep and concentration, and weight gain (approximately 20 pounds over 3 months) and its resulting effect on increasing my A1c. The worst part was an increase in anger. After no subsiding of the side effects, my doctor suggested I cease using it. We are looking for alternatives."

• tca...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I was having terrible back pain and chronic all-over pain when I started Lyrica. It has helped me a lot, but I still have the occasional flare-up. I also take Neurontin with Lyrica, and this combination does a pretty decent job of helping with my pain. I have tried Cymbalta and had a horrible three days of dizziness that almost caused me to hit a parked car. I was trying to suck it up and go to work but ended up on the couch the entire time because every time I sat up, the world spun, and I felt so disoriented and off-balance, like I had been drinking. I am very skeptical to try anything else because of the Cymbalta episode."

• 1st...
• June 29, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I took Lyrica for a couple of months. It helped with some of the fibro pain, and I felt tired and a little dizzy, along with having a dry mouth, which I expected as common side effects. What surprised me was I got new pains in new places-my big toe felt like it was on fire, and my lower back hurt badly. I started weaning off of Lyrica, and the new pains went away. I also had insomnia from the weaning process. I think it does work to dull the fibro pain, but not sure if it's worth it if there are new pains."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for ten years now, along with other health problems, and up until a week ago, I was using Flexeril and Cataflam to help with the pain and discomfort. Until last week, I was under a lot of stress at work, mind you, I teach infants and toddlers up to age 3, and I woke up one morning in pain. Pain over my entire body. Pain I have never felt before. I felt like I had a suped-up version of the flu. I went to work in tears and left in tears and headed straight to my doctor. I began Lyrica that day, and I was pretty out of it the first night and especially the next day when I took the next dose. I slept most of the first day, and the second day I was a little dizzy-headed and off balance. So far, Lyrica is working well."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for ten years now, along with other health problems, and up until a week ago, I was using Flexeril and Cataflam to help with the pain and discomfort. Until last week, I was under a lot of stress at work, mind you, I teach infants and toddlers up to age 3, and I woke up one morning in pain. Pain over my entire body. Pain I have never felt before. I felt like I had a suped-up version of the flu. I went to work in tears and left in tears and headed straight to my doctor. I began Lyrica that day, and I was pretty out of it the first night and especially the next day when I took the next dose. I slept most of the first day, and the second day I was a little dizzy-headed and off balance. So far, Lyrica is working well."

• Juw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After taking the first dose, my hands and feet swelled up, and I couldn't bend my fingers. If I tried, the pain was intense. Then I started to stagger. I wobbled when I tried to stand still. My mind fogged up. I felt drunk and hungry. I got a sandwich, and it slipped off of my plate to the floor, and I picked it up and continued to eat, at least a couple of times. Everything I ate that night tasted so good. I was so sleepy. When I got up in the morning, there were things in places that should never have been. (i.e., TV remote in the bathroom, food on the floor near my bed, and other things misplaced.) I felt like I had a hangover. NEVER AGAIN. I had the same experience with gabapentin. Just say no!"

• Juw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After taking the first dose, my hands and feet swelled up, and I couldn't bend my fingers. If I tried, the pain was intense. Then I started to stagger. I wobbled when I tried to stand still. My mind fogged up. I felt drunk and hungry. I got a sandwich, and it slipped off of my plate to the floor, and I picked it up and continued to eat, at least a couple of times. Everything I ate that night tasted so good. I was so sleepy. When I got up in the morning, there were things in places that should never have been. (i.e., TV remote in the bathroom, food on the floor near my bed, and other things misplaced.) I felt like I had a hangover. NEVER AGAIN. I had the same experience with gabapentin. Just say no!"

• Ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2022

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Terrible, this med. Caused 20 different things to me, including shaking hands, impotence, bad balance, forgetfulness, memory loss, dizziness, weight gain, bad eyesight, among other things. When I was trying to get off of it, I had real bad anxiety. As far as I’m concerned, it is poison. I was on it for 8 months but didn’t realize that it was causing all of these problems until I got off of it, and all of the problems went away. I actually thought that I was getting to the end of my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I took Lyrica for long-standing neuropathic pain. I took it before bed and woke up the next day completely in a haze, dizzy, uncoordinated, and could not function. It made my symptoms worse. The dose was 150 mg. I am just sharing my experience. Unfortunately, it is not helpful for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I took Lyrica for long-standing neuropathic pain. I took it before bed and woke up the next day completely in a haze, dizzy, uncoordinated, and could not function. It made my symptoms worse. The dose was 150 mg. I am just sharing my experience. Unfortunately, it is not helpful for me."

• kri...
• April 11, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "This medicine worked pretty well for me. I didn't realize how well it worked until I went off of it before getting pregnant. The thing I didn't like about it, though, was that it always made me feel like I was in a cloud. My thinking wasn't clear. I would get dizzy. I didn't notice too much of a weight gain, but there was some. In the end, I chose to try a different med (Savella) after my daughter was born and have been happier with that. Still works and fewer side effects."

• msp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "Been taking Lyrica for 4 months now for carpal tunnel and neuropathy in hands and feet. It is no good. It has not stopped the pain at all, makes me so dizzy I am afraid to drive my car, legs swell like balloons, and have gained over 30 pounds in 3 months. A clinical research study was recently done in Australia on Lyrica (for Acute and Chronic Sciatica), and the findings stated it had the same effect as the research subjects getting placebos or sugar pills. The makers have racked in 3 billion dollars on it. I told my doctor it isn't working, but he still prescribes it to me, finding another doctor this week. I just got a month's supply, 90 pills 3 times a day, 150 mg at a cost of $1,111.19. Biggest drug ripoff in history."

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I started taking this at 150 mg twice a day with some relief of pain, no side effects. I've recently increased to 225 mg twice a day, which is the maximum dosage. I'm experiencing vertigo, sleepiness, and weight gain, but virtually no pain. My doctor feels the results outweigh the side effects, and I agree."

• bro...
• December 12, 2013

For Neuropathic Pain "50 mg twice a day was tolerable but didn't do much for central cord syndrome pain. 75 mg three times a day isn't helping with pain so far, makes me dizzy and puts me to sleep most of the day. I got leg spasms at night after not taking it. Walking around a little stopped the spasms. I'd like to give it a better try, but the side effects prevent me from functioning."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2009

For Pain "For 18 months, I have had severe lumbar, butt, and leg pain. I got spinal injections that helped some, but the leg pain was still especially bad. Finally, I had back surgery, which helped the lower back, but not the pain in my hips and legs, which was intense. As usual, I had physical therapy, massage, and finally acupuncture. Nothing worked. My doctor finally started me on Lyrica at 50 mg before bed, then 100 mg, and finally at 200 mg before bedtime. It has reduced the pain by about 70 percent. It also helps me sleep like a log, and the only side effects are some dizziness in the morning, but by around 10 AM, that goes away. Great stuff!"

• DMA...
• September 10, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "This drug, in combination with other pharmaceutical products, took the pain away which I was getting from an L3/4 - L4/5 disc protrusion. The pain was horrific, which made me collapse twice and taken to the hospital via ambulance. However, I am now dealing with the side effects of the drug, which, going by the list, I have probably 25-30% of these. I have, in the last few days, finally got to not taking this drug at all and am coping on over-the-counter pain relief. But I am still experiencing major dizziness, coordination issues, and confusion. This is majorly impacting my day-to-day life and stopping me from walking my dogs just a very short distance and even holding a conversation. Not happy with the side effects."

• DMA...
• September 10, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "This drug, in combination with other pharmaceutical products, took the pain away which I was getting from an L3/4 - L4/5 disc protrusion. The pain was horrific, which made me collapse twice and taken to the hospital via ambulance. However, I am now dealing with the side effects of the drug, which, going by the list, I have probably 25-30% of these. I have, in the last few days, finally got to not taking this drug at all and am coping on over-the-counter pain relief. But I am still experiencing major dizziness, coordination issues, and confusion. This is majorly impacting my day-to-day life and stopping me from walking my dogs just a very short distance and even holding a conversation. Not happy with the side effects."

• Ele...
• August 24, 2018

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I have been on Lyrica for 9 weeks and am experiencing severe dizziness, so much so that I cannot go out without my husband, as I am in danger of falling, and my hands shake. I have decided to wean myself off of this drug and now take 75 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night. I would rather put up with the shingles pain than keep taking this awful drug."

• kay...
• February 21, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Lyrica for 5 years, and it has changed my life so much. I had pain all over and could not figure out why. I went through so many tests and procedures to help, and nothing did. I found a doctor who put me on Lyrica 50 mg three times a day, and after a couple of days of being dizzy, I realized that my pain was almost gone. I am now taking 150 mg three times a day, and I have my life back. I have gained weight because food tastes great now. Make sure you never run out, though. It happened to me on vacation, and I was so sick from withdrawal. It is the worst feeling in the world, all the pain was back, and I felt like I had the worst flu ever. As soon as I got home and got my refill, I was fine. Great medicine, but they do need to tell you more about withdrawal. I love Lyrica."

• pit...
• April 10, 2008

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on 300 mg of Lyrica a day for a double herniation in my back. The side effects I experienced were dizziness, anxiety, and sleeplessness. However, I did not gain weight. Maybe that is because I had read that you could gain weight, and I changed my diet so that I would not. In fact, I lost 25 lbs. while on it. I read that I am in the minority with this. I can say, for the most part, Lyrica helped, but I had to take Advil with it. Overall, it helped."

• Wee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I started taking Lyrica for trigger spots (burning, painful hot spots throughout my back) plus lower back pain. I began taking 150 mg 2x a day. It was wonderful, no more daily nagging pain. However, the side effects started to outweigh the pain relief. I had to start taking water pills because of the water retention, my memory and cognitive thinking were really affected. On three separate occasions, I was sent home from work because I was so drowsy I kept falling asleep. I was staggering, slurring my speech. My supervisor thought I had been drinking. It was very embarrassing. If I did not have all these side effects, I would have stayed on these meds, but it was getting out of control-my weight has skyrocketed also. I'm weaning off. Pain is back."

• hol...
• April 18, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia three years ago. When it started to get worse (about two years ago), my life came to a halt. I almost never left my bed, and I moved as little as possible because the pain was so severe. My doctor prescribed Lyrica for me, and it changed my life. I still have good and bad days, but I can bear the bad days because of Lyrica. It gave me my life back. When I first took it, I did have the 'high' feeling the side effects mention, but it was only my first two doses. Also, I have to take it with food, otherwise, I get extremely nauseous and dizzy. I have gained a lot of weight (about 40 lbs), but I also have CFS, which has caused me to have a very sedentary lifestyle. Overall, Lyrica saved my life."